The main observation site is the Hay Meadow, Mt. Lorette Site. The site is located in Kananaskis on the bank of the Kananaskis River. It has a view of the open valley. which allows excellent (though rather distant) viewing of the Fisher Range to the east. The bulk of the Golden Eagles and other raptors use this ridge as part of their preferred migration route.
Mt. Lorette Observations
See the seasonal count reports and daily summaries for historical observation counts. The following observations started in Fall 2021.
04/01/2022
Observers: Graeme Dunlop, Ruth Morrow
07:15 AM
07:40 PM
-2 to +5 °C
Mostly sunny with 30% cumulus in the morning, cloud gradually increased through the day with cirrus and 100% altostratus by mid afternoon although this layer began to break up in the evening. Ground winds initially light southerly, some moderate gusts in the afternoon. Ridge winds NW moderate to strong. Slow raptor movement until late afternoon, 22 of the days total of 38 Golden Eagles were seen between 16:00 and 18:00. Most birds were gliding high over the eastern ridges before heading across to Mt. Lorette. Frequent soaring over both the eastern ridges and Lorette.
38 (20 a, 2 juv, 16 u)
Bald Eagle 2, Northern Goshawk 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
16:00 to 18:00 with 22
42
1 Northern Goshawk, 2 Golden Eagles
Canada Goose x 4
Swan (sp.) x 2
Northern Flicker x 3
Pileated Woodpecker x 1
Canada Jay x 4
Northern Shrike x 1
Black-billed Magpie x 2
Common Raven x 12
Black-capped Chickadee x 3
Boreal Chickadee x 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch x 1
Mountain Bluebird x 4 (2 male, 2 female)
Varied Thrush x 3
American Robin x 50+
American Dipper x 1
Say's Phoebe x 1 (most surprising bird of the day, sat on a nearby post)
25
